November 18, 2010–February 13, 2011 at The Whitney
L is for LeDray
The first three photos below were taken by me on our January trip to The Whitney Museum of American Art. I can't let any more time pass by without sharing a bit with you about this exhibition. It was truly amazing. While I don't have titles for these pieces (I wasn't even supposed to take pictures...ssh), I did listen to a portion of the guide's talk and I was able to approach her and ask a question. My question was whether Charles LeDray had the clothing sewn by studio hands. Her reply was that, no, he sewed each and every miniature article of clothing in the fabric exhibitions. She went on to say that LeDray spent three years making men's suits. This fascinated me, as my mother is an amazing tailor and seamstress. She would have loved this exhibition.
And while I did take these photos, I did not put my silly little copyright label on them because I'm not altogether sure it's appropriate to try to own a photograph that I wasn't supposed to have taken in the first place? It goes without saying that this lapse in character is strictly for educational purposes!
(if you'll notice the legs of the spectators above, it will give you an idea of the scale of the display)
Charles LeDray also works with ceramics and in two magnificent glass cases, his miniature ceramics were displayed. In one, and endless array of black porcelain vases, plates, bowls and other containers cast their tiny shadows upon the surface on which they sit.
Photo: Tom Powell, courtesy of Sperone Westwaer
SOURCES
Linding to ABC Wednesday
Now this is very interesting, since I just went to our local thrift shop this morning and found a darling skirt, and to workout videos.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of it as ART!!!!
Very cool post!
This is all pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love the tie table best, though.
I'm not sure I would have known these wereall miniatures if you hadn't mentioned it. how cool is that!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Interesting choice for L.
ReplyDeletePlease come and see the Lamborghini at my page.
That's definitely a pretty amazing effort and the idea that there are so many pieces all in perfect miniature is quite mind-boggling. Lucky you for managing to get such wonderful pictures under those circumstances.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting concept - I've never heard of this artist...great post!
ReplyDeleteWell, for me, Gina, this is definitely in the category of Gee, I am Amazed and Impressed that the Artist Took So Much Time and Had the Skill to Create This, But . . Why? Is it beautiful? Thought provoking? Stimulating a dialog of importance? Entertaining?
ReplyDeleteWhy?
Bonsai!
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone for your thoughtfulness in leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteJack - I'm grateful for your thought-provoking questions but I've left it up to the art experts to tackle them. If you follow the links you will run into some analysis of LeDray's work. For now here is one excerpt from one of the linked articles, which I have time to post here in comments:
"Lingwood writes on “MENS SUITS,” which was LeDray’s 2009 exhibition in London. Miniature formal clothing was displayed as though for sale in a department store or in a person’s closet. In his piece, Lingwood considers the implications about contemporary culture. For instance, the ties, splayed on a circular table so their ends are all interconnected, reflects society’s disturbing emphasis on conformity."
Francis - yeah, bonsai! Wait. What do you mean, exactly? :-D
I eagerly await your 'artist of the week' and am never disappointed.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite id the open coat - wonderful.
Installations always urge me to desire to create one myself. One day 'quizas' .....
Wild! These are amazing! This is the kind of art that makes you look anew at the everyday world around you. That's a wonderful reason for art.
ReplyDelete